Paul Rhoads came across as likable, earnest and enthusiastic in his introductory meeting with the press Friday.

He knew how to play to his audience, citing the superiority of the Southeastern Conference at least twice and referencing the Auburn Family a handful of times.

His accent and style were distinctively Midwestern. Rhoads was the youngest of five kids. His parents were both teachers. Education was big in his family, and he was the valedictorian of his class in Ankeny, Iowa. He said he inherited much of his approach to coaching from his dad Cecil, a longtime high school coach now retired in Ankeny.

I'll have more notes and quotes later in the afternoon and, of course, in Saturday's Press-Register.